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Stars Want to Make Texas ‘The New Hollywood.’ Lawmakers Aren’t So Sure.

Photo by Ray Shrewsberry via Unsplash

Stars Want to Make Texas ‘The New Hollywood.’ Lawmakers Aren’t So Sure.

By Movieguide® Contributor

Matthew McConaughey’s push to establish movie productions in Texas has many of the state’s leaders divided. 

McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Dennis Quaid, Billy Bob Thornton and Renée Zellweger recently teamed up for an ad for the True to Texas campaign, which encourages filmmakers to bring their productions to the state, as well as ask state officials to put financial incentives in place for these productions. 

It promotes the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program, which would provide qualifying productions for “a cash grant” based on a percentage of the production’s “Texas expenditures,” as well as tax refunds on Texas hotel rooms for cast and crew, fuel and sales tax, per Newsweek. 

“Hollywood is flat circle, Woody,” McConaughey says in the ad. “This industry is like somebody’s memory of an industry. I’m talking about a whole new hub for film and television. A renaissance. A rebirth.”

Harrelson added that “a small fraction” of the Texas state budget could “turn this state into the new Hollywood.”

Quaid posted the ad on his Instagram page, writing, “Filming in Texas isn’t just about showcasing our stunning landscapes — it’s about creating jobs, boosting local economies, and building a thriving industry right here at home.”

READ MORE: TEXAS LOOKS TO EXPAND HOLLYWOOD PRESENCE BY INCREASING ENTERTAINMENT GRANTS BUDGET

Texas State Representative Andy Hopper posted on X, “The success or failure of this venture does not, and should not, depend on government forking over your hard earned money. Hard nope.”

“The Texas government is proposing to have your property taxes be $500 MILLION higher… so they can give it to liberal Hollywood!” Rep. Brian Harrison wrote. “I will oppose the liberal ‘Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive.’ Texans are overtaxed, and Hollywood doesn’t need your money!”

The Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program bill is scheduled for a public hearing later this month. 

READ MORE: STATES GRAPPLE WITH FILM TAX CREDITS AS THEY SEE LOW RETURNS


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